10 Questions: An interview with Vanessa B. Baylen
In the spotlight today we welcome, Vanessa B. Baylen, creator of the show, Death By Chocolate”. Showing at the Zoo Southside venue throughout the duration of the Fringe Festival, Death By Chocolate is an interactive murder mystery plus lots of lovely jubbly chocolate! Vanessa’s show was sold out at this year’s Adelaide Fringe and last years 2007 Melbourne Fringe, so let’s learn more about Vanessa and her show….
1. What inspired you to become a creative artist, and writer?
I’ve always had a passion for the arts. It’s not in my blood, or anything, but I’ve always been creative. Unlike others, I was fortunate to be encouraged to follow my passion, do what I love, and so I’ve always pursued a career in the arts. I’m a Jill of all creative trades and I enjoy dabbling across everything. Starting my own company, creating my own genre of show and doing all the roles to make that happen – keeps me busy and happy (or happy and busy…?)
2. What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
“Death By Chocolate” is an interactive murder mystery with chocolate tasting. Audiences should expect to be flung head first into a truly interactive experience. They will be challenged, mentally stimulated, have fun, meet people, and eat chocolate. All our audience members become detectives who are briefed on the chocolate-crime and have the remaining time to try and solve it. They can interview the suspects, decode the clues, sample the chocolate… anything is possible. There is no stage, no separation of actor and audience, and they may become fully immersed in the show.
3. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
We have a character who is a total asshole – we’ve had audiences who actually cheer him on. They actually said “treat ‘em mean, keep ‘em keen”. Funniest? It was pretty awesome when a passing policewoman came into the show and thought some of the action was real.
4. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?
We performed in Adelaide in 2008 (Feb-Mar). It was hot. As in, record-heat- wave hot. Besides that: it was awesome – had a great cast and crew and miss them terribly.
5. What’s your best advice for aspiring performers in your theatrical medium?
You have to put in much more work than anyone will ever give you credit for. You have to face/ignore close-minded people who won’t understand you. You have to have a lot of discipline and drive and be a self starter. And, after surviving all of that, you’ll find yourself in the most lucrative of positions: spending all your time doing what you love doing. And that’s worth it.
6. Are there any dreams or goals that you have yet to fulfill?
Of course!
7. What is the best advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?
To believe in myself more, and, I’m trying.
8. What is the best book or books you have read and why do you like them?
Last year I decided to be risky and actually have a favourite author: Richard Bach. I like his novels because they’re about life, lessons, people, and hope. More related to the show, I’d highly recommend curling up with Graeme Base’s “The Eleventh Hour” (a picture book). Finally, once I publish my novel (“Sara Mist”) I’d highly recommend you read that
9. Who is the person you most admire and why?
Living or dead? I suppose I most admire the inner strength and resilience my mom had. The guts to fight for what she believed in. A big enough heart to handle child-me. The honesty to self-assess. And an open mindedness to whatever was thrown her way.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
There are the practical answers and the idyllic ones. I suppose at the end of the day I’d leave it be – faults remind us to appreciate the rest. Or… maybe make people more tolerant of each other. And make customs change the rules so my pets could travel with me.
